The California-based promotion recently announced the pairing.
Bellator 185 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.,
on Oct. 20 and is headlined by a middleweight showdown pitting
Gegard
Mousasi against Alexander
Shlemenko.

Rickels last appeared at Bellator 171, where he scored a
third-round technical knockout of Aaron
Derrow on Jan. 27. “The Caveman” debuted with Bellator in 2011
and has compiled a 12-4 record with two no contests in the Scott
Coker-led organization.

Ward, meanwhile, has lost three of his last four fights, including
a third-round submission defeat against Fernando
Gonzalez at Bellator 182 on Aug. 25. The 29-year-old Waterford,
Conn., is 9-6 in the promotion, with all of his victories coming
inside two rounds.